Game On! Newcastle v Manchester City

Game on at SJP! The first of two back-to-back home games will soon get under way, although expectations from either game are somewhat different.

Next week it is QPR at St James' Park with the aim being very much three points against a side who have yet to win this season (famous last words, watch them get a win today or next week against us), but today we have to try and get something out of the Premier League champions and their expensively assembled squad.

It is going to be a tough ask, a very tough ask, when you look at how we've been playing recently but all we can do is give it our best shot and see what the outcome is at the end of it. Giving it our best shot is something we haven't done too often this season for me, but it's all I ever ask and providing we do just that I'll be happy regardless of result. Well, relatively happy anyway...

The big team news in the build up is the news that Hatem Ben Arfa is rated as doubtful after aggravating a hamstring injury on Monday night at Fulham. Maybe it's some of those "mind games" regarding his selection but I guess the team news will reveal all. Incidentally all team news will be published in full below as and when it becomes available.

The game is live on Sky Sports 2 so if you aren't at the match you can head down the pub or watch it at home providing you have Sky. It's also being picked for broadcast by a whole host of overseas TV channels so if you aren't at the game, don't fancy heading down the pub or don't have Sky then you might be able to catch a stream of it. Suffice to say should you find a good stream please feel free to leave a link to it in the 'comments' section below.

Which just about wraps it up. The match preview is online here for you to peruse should you feel the need to although it basically details our horrific recent record (L9, D2 of the last 11 games) against City.

Suffice to say my expectations aren't exactly sky high for today but we'll see what happens. A hammering wouldn't be good for confidence so I'd obviously like to avoid that as I'm sure most of you would, but I have a horrible feeling about this game...

Howay the lads!

Newcastle: Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon; James Perch, Cheik Tiote, Vurnon Anita, Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba, Jonas Gutierrez

Subs: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Shane Ferguson, Gael Bigirimana, Sylvain Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi

Manchester City:

Subs: